BC NDP

VICTORIA— The B.C. Liberals’ decision to ram through legislation forcing a new contract on ambulance paramedics is an admission of their failure to manage the health care system, New Democrat leader Carole James said today.

“The B.C. Liberals could have appointed an independent arbitrator and settled the paramedics’ strike months ago. Instead, they ignored the issue and refused to listen to ambulance workers’ concerns,” said James.

“British Columbians feel betrayed by the B.C. Liberals’ failed record on health care. Despite promising during the campaign to protect health care, after the election the B.C. Liberals slashed services across the province.”

New Democrat MLAs opposed Bill 21, the Ambulance Services Collective Agreement Act, through an all-night session of the legislature, but this morning the Liberal government passed the legislation.

Throughout the paramedics’ dispute, essential services orders have ensured that ambulance services have not been impacted. In many cases, levels of ambulance service have actually been higher under the essential services order.

“Sadly, we’ve seen this type of approach before. The legacy of this government is a province that is becoming increasingly divided,” said James.

“If the government were serious about improving our public health care system, they would respect front-line health care workers, including the hard work of ambulance paramedics who save lives in our communities every day.”

Paramedics have been fighting for better staffing levels and fair wages, including an end to the $2 an hour on-call rate.

“Ramming through a new contract sends the signal to all British Columbians that the government isn’t interested in working through challenges, and it will undermine the upcoming negotiations with paramedics and with other public sector workers,” said James.

The B.C. Liberals have a record of trampling the rights of ordinary British Columbians. Last year, the B.C. Liberals had to bring in legislation to repair the damage done when they tore up health care workers’ contracts in 2003, which the Supreme Court of Canada ruled illegal.

Under the Liberal government, B.C. has had the worst rate of full-time job losses, the second-worst performing economy, and highest level of child poverty in the country.